Head Pro Stock Really Worth It?

Hey guys, planning on getting a Head TGT 293.2, and was wondering if they were really worth it? Like is there a night and day difference between the TGT 293.2 and the retail frame Youtek IG Prestige MP? Currently using the retail Youtek IG Prestige MP and was wondering how much different the pro stock is. Also say for example if I were to get the TGT 293.2 (not the XL version, the regular length) and I took off all the lead in the grommet and leather grip and tried to match the specs of the pro stock to the retail Youtek IG Prestige MP, would there be a clear difference between them despite the fact that I tried to make both rackets the same? Also wondering what benefits the Pro Stock has over the regular retail frame.

Pro stock frames often have different flex ratings and flex points compared to regular retail frames. Also, the layup may be different. So even with identical weights, swingweights and balances, a pro stock frame and a retail frame will probably feel and perform slightly different.

I don't think they are worth the ridiculous amounts that people pay for them. Especially for the average rec play who is about a 3.5 level player. Sure they're softer but they don't make you play any better.

- You want matched frames
- You want a lighter hairpin to work with
- You like the way they are set up
- They were used by your favorite pro
- You want something to hang on your wall
- You want characteristics that are hard to find in retail racquets that you can find in a specific pro stock
- You want extended length frames
- You want a molded or articulated grip
- You want a heavier version and don't want to put silicone and lead in yourself
- You have 1,000 shares of Apple or Google and you need to do something with your profits from Mr. Bernanke's comments today

Pro stocks are overrated.
Especially the tgk and tgt from head. They are just lighter hairpins of the retail model, nothing more nothing less.
I'm not talking about special racquets made for murray, djoko etc. that's a whole different story.

Pro stocks are overrated.
Especially the tgk and tgt from head. They are just lighter hairpins of the retail model, nothing more nothing less.
I'm not talking about special racquets made for murray, djoko etc. that's a whole different story.

Click to expand...

for the most part yes, though there are some out there with different drill patterns.. like the Berdych and Cilic frames

Pro stocks are overrated.
Especially the tgk and tgt from head. They are just lighter hairpins of the retail model, nothing more nothing less.
I'm not talking about special racquets made for murray, djoko etc. that's a whole different story.

Click to expand...

What do you mean my "lighter hairpins"? Also what are the differences between the PT57a and the TGT293.2? Currently debating between those two. Trying to find both in the Youtek IG Prestige paintjob and 18 x 20 string pattern

I have a feeling that Cilic 231.3 might be similar to the 269.1 (Pro Stock Youtek Radical Pro) around that 58/59 flex mark. Major difference is the squarer beam on the Microgel's compared to the Youtek. The 260.2 (pro stock Youtek Radical MP with open pattern ie - Berdych) seems to be a bit stiffer. I think that the 233.1 (Pro Stock Microgel Radical Pro) and 231.1/2/3 are very much under rated by many. The 233.1 in particular has a larger head (I think in reality perhaps a 104 inch head?) and with its stiffer frame and the really open pattern from the larger frame and thin beam is a relatively unique racquet.

The subsequent Radical Pro's have smaller heads, the 260.4 (IG Radical Pro) seemed to me to have very little pop, was quite underwhelmed by it. Felt more like a prestige than a radical to me, maybe it is the capped bumper messing with my head? The lower swingweight in comparison to the Youtek certainly made it a racquet more people could use, but it doesn't seem to hit that heavy ball that the Youtek did?

I have 3 Pro Stock 238.5 TKG's, weighted up as the retail version, 325 strung and 6pts. head light. I also have the PT630, I-Prestige, You-Tek and 4 IG prestige pro's. I have to say the IG Prestige(stock) plays better than the pro stock frames, my opinion only as we all differ. I fail to believe by adding lead in the hoop area has more integrity than a racquet with same manufactured weight. Manufacture weight meaning all the materials(graphite, etc) combined / lead on the hoop and silicone in the handle. Most pro's use racquets in excess of 325 grams, so why not customize from there, much stronger frame. Just my thoughts as we all have different tastes & feel.

Pro stocks are overrated.
Especially the tgk and tgt from head. They are just lighter hairpins of the retail model, nothing more nothing less.
I'm not talking about special racquets made for murray, djoko etc. that's a whole different story.

Click to expand...

I love when someone comes here and just writes junk that a few others stated in one way or the other, without understanding the content...

There are TGK and TGT frames that you cannot find in the retail form -- 260.2 -- YT Radical MP 16x19. The Cilic TGK is a totally different layup from the retail frame. The old Wawrinka 238.3 is a totally different layup...

Also, if you have ever played with the siliconed + leaded frame, you would not claim "nothing more and nothing less" about them -- it totally changes the feel, SW and so on of the racket. You can get the TGK/TGT to the SW, balance and weight combination where the retail cannot go...

Therefore, for some, they are golden, for some, they are just the glorified retail...

Furthermore, to the OP, other Pro Stock sticks, like PT57A for example have more advantages -- hairpin weight/available customization with the control, comfort and power combination... If you can handle it, it is a wonderful stick. Not for everyone, though, due to the restricted sweet spot...

I have 3 Pro Stock 238.5 TKG's, weighted up as the retail version, 325 strung and 6pts. head light. I also have the PT630, I-Prestige, You-Tek and 4 IG prestige pro's. I have to say the IG Prestige(stock) plays better than the pro stock frames, my opinion only as we all differ. I fail to believe by adding lead in the hoop area has more integrity than a racquet with same manufactured weight. Manufacture weight meaning all the materials(graphite, etc) combined / lead on the hoop and silicone in the handle. Most pro's use racquets in excess of 325 grams, so why not customize from there, much stronger frame. Just my thoughts as we all have different tastes & feel.

Click to expand...

What is the strung weight of your retail IGPP? 345g, 6pt HL. Most Pro rackets that I have seen are 355-365g strung with OG WITH silicone and lead. That would let you put <5g of silicone in your retail racket, which is...nothing.
Pros love the silicone feel. Therefore, this is a simple answer to your retail racket customization idea. Furthermore, some like it less HL, adding the lead around the hoop...
There are many reasons why to start with a 25g lighter hairpin.

Just played a guy over the weekend who showed up showing off his nice shiny PT57As and I took my retail Pure Drive Roddick frames and put a 6-2, 6-2 beating on him. We weren't even done playing yet before he was mumbing about his frames feeling like mush...

Just played a guy over the weekend who showed up showing off his nice shiny PT57As and I took my retail Pure Drive Roddick frames and put a 6-2, 6-2 beating on him. We weren't even done playing yet before he was mumbing about his frames feeling like mush...

Just played a guy over the weekend who showed up showing off his nice shiny PT57As and I took my retail Pure Drive Roddick frames and put a 6-2, 6-2 beating on him. We weren't even done playing yet before he was mumbing about his frames feeling like mush...

Just played a guy over the weekend who showed up showing off his nice shiny PT57As and I took my retail Pure Drive Roddick frames and put a 6-2, 6-2 beating on him. We weren't even done playing yet before he was mumbing about his frames feeling like mush...

Click to expand...

Ok, to prove your point , give the guy a chance to hit with your PD Roddicks while you use the PT57a bats and repeat the beatdown 2 and 2

Just played a guy over the weekend who showed up showing off his nice shiny PT57As and I took my retail Pure Drive Roddick frames and put a 6-2, 6-2 beating on him. We weren't even done playing yet before he was mumbing about his frames feeling like mush...

Click to expand...

They are racquets, not magical wands. If you're a better player than that got you the win regardless of whether you used a retail racquet or roddicks personal frame. You would suffer the sane beat down against a more competent player using his pt's. The pro stock just gives you a particular feel and playing characteristic which you either like or don't like, nothing more.

They are racquets, not magical wands. If you're a better player than that got you the win regardless of whether you used a retail racquet or roddicks personal frame. You would suffer the sane beat down against a more competent player using his pt's. The pro stock just gives you a particular feel and playing characteristic which you either like or don't like, nothing more.

I hit with a TGK 238.4 this weekend modified with silicone and lead and I was very underwhelmed. Admittedly my expectations might have been a bit high as I was expecting a ton of plow through and a smooth feel. It's my friend's racquet and I haven't put it on the Tuning Center yet to get the specs but after about ten minutes I went back to my YT Rad Pros which felt much more stable and soft. The pro stock had a tinny feel and was more harsh feeling than my Rad Pros.

I am unfamiliar with all the codes and the playing characteristics they designate so maybe the TGK 238.4 is a stiffer pro stock which doesn't work well for me.

I hit with a TGK 238.4 this weekend modified with silicone and lead and I was very underwhelmed. Admittedly my expectations might have been a bit high as I was expecting a ton of plow through and a smooth feel. It's my friend's racquet and I haven't put it on the Tuning Center yet to get the specs but after about ten minutes I went back to my YT Rad Pros which felt much more stable and soft. The pro stock had a tinny feel and was more harsh feeling than my Rad Pros.

I am unfamiliar with all the codes and the playing characteristics they designate so maybe the TGK 238.4 is a stiffer pro stock which doesn't work well for me.

Click to expand...

TGK238.4 is just a Pro Stock YT Prestige MP. Your description is how the retail YT Prestige MP plays. They are not magic wands!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and YT Radical Pro is softer than the YT Prestige MP.

The Strings Forums is a good place to get them. They can run $150 in poor condition to $1,000 for a big name player. In some cases, you can get pro stocks for the same price as their retail counterpart.

Pro stocks are overrated.
Especially the tgk and tgt from head. They are just lighter hairpins of the retail model, nothing more nothing less.
I'm not talking about special racquets made for murray, djoko etc. that's a whole different story.

Click to expand...

This is incorrect...

I know this is an old post but I feel the need to post my experience. TGK, TGT models are not lighter hairpins of the retails. TGK and TGT are made with graphite and other resin mixtures and do not have things like microgel, youtek or innegra in them this is why they come out so much lighter compared to a retail frame. I have played with YOUTEK Prestige MP side to side with a TGK 238.4 which I use at the moment and the TGK feels a million times better in terms of feel and plays a lot better which I assume is due to the material such as graphite in the frames.

I know this is an old post but I feel the need to post my experience. TGK, TGT models are not lighter hairpins of the retails. TGK and TGT are made with graphite and other resin mixtures and do not have things like microgel, youtek or innegra in them this is why they come out so much lighter compared to a retail frame. I have played with YOUTEK Prestige MP side to side with a TGK 238.4 which I use at the moment and the TGK feels a million times better in terms of feel and plays a lot better which I assume is due to the material such as graphite in the frames.

Click to expand...

Thats not why they come out lighter. I have experience in this as well.

Thats not why they come out lighter. I have experience in this as well.

Click to expand...

It seems like the most logical reason since I really think the retail frames do feel nothing like the TGK to me. What is your though on TGK and retail do they feel the same to you and what is the reason behind them coming out lighter?

I really do not see how pro stock racquets are worth it. We have many confirmed cases of pros using retail stock racquets customized to their specs. If "off the rack" is good enough for them then it's fine for the rest of us. But if someone wants to blow $500+ on a racquet and think that will improve their play then that's their money and business therein.